Pilot Knob Ski Race

Come challenge yourself to ski the hills in beautiful Pilot Knob State Park.  This is a great preparation race for the American Birkiebeiner.  Enjoy eating lunch in the warming house afterwards.  Any profits from this race will go towards the costs of grooming the trails in the park.

February 4, 2017
both races start at 8:30 am

27 km freestyle race.
9 km freestyle race.
Lunch included for racers.
Awards to top 3 overall, male & female each race.
Racer's fee is $15.00.
Family and friends welcome to lunch also(free will donation).
Classic skiers are welcome to join the freestyle race also.  At least 90% of the course will be tracked.

Start & finish located at the warming house.
Register day of race only.  Please email, text or phone if you plan to attend so as to make sure there will be enough food.

Sponsor;   northiowanordic.com/ and the Forest City nordic grooming crew.

Contact;
Jeff Hovinga
641-590-2739
jhovinga@wctatel.net

Pilot Knob State Park
2148 340th St. Forest City, IA 50436

Iowa Winter Games - Prairie Springs Nature Center - Cresco - Course Photos from Today

Here are some shots from most areas on the course.  Conditions are very good.

Webster City Briggs Woods Groomed and Tracked Friday January 27th

We had a total of 7", and with the cold the moisture is gone. We groomed and tracked the Woodland loop, the Up n Back trail, and Waterfall loop plus a beginner practice loop by the red barn. We no longer set a 5k on the golf course. Conditions for this weekend will be great, just watch for twigs and small branch tips in the woods.

Race Course - Iowa Winter Games XC Races - Saturday, January 28

Here's a map of the Race Course for 8K Classic and 10K Freestyle. Both races will ski this route and there will be a part of the trail that will be done twice. The part that's done twice will be different for the 8K and 10K and will be explained before races. Personnel on course will direct you.  Course involves uphill, downhill, flats and rolling terrain so plenty of variety.  There's a topo map posted on our Facebook Page, facebook.com/skicresco

We have 8" of new snow on top of a base that varies from 1" to 5" so conditions should be very good.  Temps tomorrow predicted to be in mid 20s so it should be an ideal day for racing.  Registration begins at 9 AM in downstairs of Prairie Springs Nature Center.  Course was groomed last night so you can ski it today.  We will re-groom it tonight.

Hope to see you tomorrow!

Iowa Winter Games XC Races at Prairie Springs Trail System Cresco

Because of a lack of snow in Dubuque, the site for the Iowa Winter Games Cross Country Ski Races has been changed to the Prairie Springs Trail System and Prairies Edge Nature Center, Cresco.  The races will be held on Saturday, January 28 with an 8K Classical race at 10 AM and a 10K Freestyle race at 2 PM.  For registration information and additional race information, visit the Iowa Winter Games site @ http://www.iowagames.org/Winter/CrossCountrySkiing

Race site, onsite registration and event center is at the Prairie's Edge Nature Center two miles south of Cresco, Iowa.  For updates on trail conditions visit facebook.com/skicresco

See you Saturday!

Pilot Knob State Park, Forest City

The skating deck on the road through Pilot Knob State Park was rejuvenated this morning.  I didn't try to redo the classic tracks because of how hard packed the snow is right now.  The tracks are wiped out in a few spots but overall are in fairly decent shape.

I'll plan on going over the skate deck again early Sunday morning.

We've endured rain and wind storms since receiving about 15" of snow this year.  Thanks to the hours of raking from volunteers and the Ginzu groomer's ability to rejuvenate icy snow, we have ski-able conditions!

Pilot Knob State Park